Learn how to be safer around water

Drain Safety

Many people don’t know this but drains are one of the most dangerous elements of a pool. Why? Read below to find out and learn what you can do to be safer around drain systems.

What Makes A Drain Dangerous?

Suction

Think about the end of vacuum cleaner tube. We’ve put our hand up to one and felt our palm get sucked against it only much greater.

100s Of Pounds Of Force

Flat drain covers can be completely blocked by a body part. The suction can be equivalent to hundreds of pounds of force.

Strong Circulation

They also create a strong circulation of water that can attract hair and cause entanglement.

Drain Safety Tips

New Design

The safer drains on the market are designed so they can’t be fully blocked.

Always Ask

Ask pool and spa owners if they are using anti-entrapment drain covers. If they are not or don’t know… find another pool.

Warn Children

Tell children to stay away from drains or other outlets. And keep telling them. Should a drain cover become loose or missing, evacuate the pool immediately and alert your pool manager. Do not return to the pool until the drain cover has become secured. Always tie back long hair and never wear loose clothing in a pool.

Shut Down Power

Should someone become stuck to or entrapped by a drain or outlet, immediately shut down power to the pump. If you can’t find the pump, shut down power to the pool.

Pool Safety

The ZAC Foundation recommends that private pools follow the public pool requirements set forth in the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act to prevent drain entrapment, which requires at least two layers of protection.

Dual drains

Safety vacuum release system (SVRS)

Suction-limiting vent system

Gravity drainage system

Automatic pump shut-off system

Drain disablement

Emergency pump shutoff system

Anti-entrapment drain covers

4-sided fence with locking gate

Emergency telephone and life preserver in the pool area

Pool alarms on gates and doors leading to the pool area

Bath Safety

From babies to big kids, proper bath safety is essential. Review the following tips with your family to stay safe at any age.

Give your newborn baby a sponge bath until their umbilical cord has completely fallen off. After that, they will be ready for a “baby bathtub”.

Fill the tub with a couple inches of lukewarm water and never leave your baby unattended. We recommend turning off your phone to be fully present.

Set everything you need within reach (e.g. soap, washcloth, towel, clothes) before you start so that you can have a hand on your baby at all times.

Winter Water Safety

Drowning accidents are preventable, even during the coldest months. When is ice safe? Below is what The ZAC Foundation recommends to be as cautious as possible during the winter season.

Age

Thickness

Temperature

If it’s covered in snow

Depth of water under the ice

Size of the water body

Water chemistry and currents

Distribution of load on the ice

About

Karen and Brian Cohn co-founded The ZAC Foundation in 2008, in honor of their 6-year-old son – Zachary Archer Cohn who passed away after his arm became entrapped in a pool drain.